Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025
Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Sensory Processing and Executive Functioning in Autistic Adults
Michelle Kiep1,2,3, Annelies Spek4, Eva Ceulemans5
1Autisme Expertise Centrum, Eemnes, Netherlands. michellekiep@gmail.com.
Purpose:
One of the core features that can be experienced by adults on the autism spectrum is hyper- and hyporeactivity to sensory stimuli. Research suggests that executive functioning (EF) impairments are related to sensory issues. In this study the relationship between sensory processing issues and EF was investigated. We expected sensory processing issues to predict EF impairments.
Methods:
Thirty men and 30 women on the autism spectrum, 20 men and 24 women without autism were included and matched on intelligence and age. Group comparisons were conducted to determine if groups differed regarding self-reported sensory processing issues (GSQ-NL) and self-reports on EF (BRIEF-A). Correlational and regression analyses were carried out to investigate the relationship between self-reports on GSQ-NL and BRIEF-A.
Results:
We found significant differences between men and women on the spectrum with regard to sensory processing issues and EF. Hyporeactivity to sensory information explained most of the EF problems.
Conclusion:
Clinicians should be aware of differences in sensory experiences between adults on the spectrum and non-autistic adults and differences between men and women during assessment and subsequent counselling.
More Related Videos
05:32Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
Published on: December 7, 2018
08:17A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential ERP Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 12, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:30Information Processing Approach
01:20Parallel Processing
01:11Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the...
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....